Financial Aid Coordinator

Carbondale•On Campus, IL

7d•Onsite

About The Position

Employees at this level provide assistance with technical functions involved in managing student financial aid programs. They work under general supervision from a designated supervisor. The role supports eligibility review and financial aid awards, student and agency communications, loan and grant processing, file management, compliance, reporting, and coordination with university organizations and external agencies. The position is represented by ACsE/IEA-NEA (Associate of Civil Service Employees).

Requirements

Any one combination totaling three years (36 months) from the stated education and experience categories.
College coursework in any discipline may count toward the three-year requirement: 30 semester hours equals 12 months; an associate degree (60 semester hours) equals 18 months; 90 semester hours equals 24 months; a bachelor’s degree (120 semester hours) equals 36 months, or proportional equivalents.
Work experience coordinating office, business, or customer service/relations activities.
One year (12 months) of higher education, student services, or closely related experience.
Out-of-state candidates must establish Illinois residency within 180 calendar days of the position start date.
Applicants must provide a complete employment history, including employment dates; relevant part-time experience is converted to full-time equivalence.
Official transcripts must be uploaded to document educational requirements.
Veterans seeking preference must provide proof of eligibility within ten working days of applying, unless already submitted with a prior application.
Sponsorship for work authorization is not available.

Responsibilities

Verify student eligibility criteria and review and award financial aid applicants in accordance with federal, state, and institutional regulations and policies.
Enter, update, and process award notifications.
Assist students with suggestions for locating institutional grants and scholarships.
Manage alternative loan packaging, including determining eligibility, awarding, data entry, and certification.
Oversee the financial aid file management system.
Manage correspondence and provide general financial information about accounts receivable, tuition assistance, and other financial programs.
Monitor students’ eligibility to receive financial aid.
Notify external servicing centers of student status and activities as required by federal law.
Work with students and agencies to resolve discrepancies.
Participate in the evaluation of appeals.
Help develop forms, letters, and brochures used to collect financial aid data from student applicants.
Review regulatory changes affecting campus-based programs, guaranteed loans, state grants, and institutional programs, and recommend procedural changes as needed.
Serve as a liaison with university organizations and outside agencies.
Participate in workshops and presentations for internal and external audiences.
Review and collaborate to ensure current financial aid information is available on the university website.
Assist with the direction, management, and administration of scholarship and grant programs.
Coordinate, schedule, and provide in-service training and staff meetings as delegated.
Prepare and coordinate statistical, operating, and planning records and reports.
Maintain spreadsheets to track and balance institutional programs.
Ensure accuracy, completeness, and regulatory compliance.
Process and track verification documentation submitted to the Office of Financial Assistance and enter required corrections.
Perform accounting functions for grant and scholarship accounts, which may include reconciling awards and payments or transactions in an electronic record system.
Analyze data from agencies to determine whether Federal Direct Student Loans and Federal Pell Grants must be reduced to prevent overpayment.
Perform duties of the lower-level classification in the series as required and other related duties as assigned.